Came across some quotes from hawaii coach Greg McMackin and a couple of his players after meeting with hawaii media members on Thursday. My reactions are in red. Anyone else have thoughts?
Oh, and a quick weather report (kind of) for those interested.
It's gonna be a one-on-one street fight. It's gonna be line it up, that's your man, that's my man and here we go. It's a one-on-one gameplan and they've got the best running back in the country but we are working very hard at that. --Greg McMackin, hawaii head coach
Can't argue with anything he said there, except for the fact that it won't technically be on a street, but rather a rock-hard greenish shade of turf with large amounts of trash in the form of silver hot dog wrappers, unused napkins and empty cans of spam blowing around all over the field.
Hard-nosed football -- they can hit. They're just gonna bring it, you know? If you don't step up to the plate, you're gonna get runned over. --Blaze Soares, hawaii linebacker
First quote is the honest truth from him, which is usually how a hawaii player begins before he enters himself into sunshine, lollipops and rainbow land and drops a runned on us.
Let us continue our journey with the Blaze-meister.
I know we're ready. A lot of our guys like to hit, actually I think all of our guys like to hit.It's not gonna happen again. I put everything on it. That wasn't hawaii football, that was like Pop Warner football that we played [against louisiana tech]. We're a much better team. [Mathews is] a great athlete, but we're gonna play our best and he better play his best if he wants to ... we're gonna make him earn every yard that he gets. That's something that we're gonna do.
Ready or not, hawaii at home is a different team, so we'll assume they're ready by default. And that was a nice piece of backtracking there by the American Gladiator wanna be (start watching at 1:07). If he wants to what Blaze? It's too late for you, I already sent Ryan the quote.
We just gotta do a much better job of filling those holes and just staying gap sound.
Thanks for the insight.
I don't see Fresno State even coming out and passing the ball, you know. I feel like they're just gonna try and play hard-nosed football and just pound that ball down our throats and we just gotta be ready for it. We're gonna bring it cause I'm not gonna let that ever happen again. I'm never gonna be embarrassed again like how we were embarrassed this past week.
At this point, I can't help but wonder why only now, after several horrific outings by the hawaii defense, did Blaze now decide he's capable of single-handedly preventing another meltdown? What's in those hawaiian lollipops? That being said, as much as I want to continue to trash talk this guy, Fresno State's history on the island only let's me get away with so much. It's been fun Blaze.
You know us local boys, you gotta throw your hands up and make a statement. We're going for that one knockout punch, you know, make a big play in the beginning and sit 'em down and let 'em never come back up. --Rocky Savaiigaea
Oh you local boys, always making statements with your hands up in the air. Not my thing, but hey, I'm not one to judge. By the way, Rocky obviously isn't familiar with the phrase "No 'Dogs Down." Let's just hope it holds true for this game as well.
Last week: Louisiana Tech 27, Hawaii 6 / Nevada 63, UNLV 28 Where the heck did that 700-plus yards of Wolf Pack offense come from? UNLV had it close at the half, before Nevada just embarrassed 'em. But La Tech did some embarrassing of its own, holding Hawaii touchdown-less on national TV. On the road, against a now-confident Nevada team, La Tech won't be able to duplicate such a defensive effort. Prediction: Nevada
Idaho (4-1, 1-0) @ San Jose State (1-3) Saturday, 5 p.m., ESPN 360 Last week: New Mexico State 20, New Mexico 17 / San Jose State bye Are you kiddin' me Vandals? This is starting to get ridiculous, and as hot as they are, there's no reason to think the dreadful-looking Spartans can stop them. San Jose State has been solid at home under Dick Tomey, but struggled to beat Cal Poly two weeks ago. Idaho comes up big again against the Spartans' sad state of offense and will be one win from bowl eligibility -- unreal. Prediction: Idaho
Utah State (1-3) @ New Mexico State (2-3, 0-1) Saturday, 5 p.m., ESPN 360 Last week: BYU 35, Utah State 17 / San Diego State 34, New Mexico State 17 New Mexico State is real, real bad. Period. Utah State is much, much better. But the blueish/slight purple tinted Aggies of Logan have played tough competition with losses to Texas A&M, Utah and BYU. Utah State wins big this week. Prediction: Utah State
Fresno State (1-3, 0-1) @ Hawaii (2-2, 0-1) Saturday, 8 p.m., Bulldog Sports Network/ESPNU Last week: Fresno State bye / Louisiana Tech 27, Hawaii 6 Pat Hill's Bulldogs have struggled mightily on the island, winning just one of six attemps under the fu manchu. It's just flat tough to justify picking against Fresno State this season with the talent differential, experience and depth. Prediction: Fresno State
Byes: No. 6 Boise State (5-0, 1-0) Last week: Boise State 34, UC Davis 16
Quarterbacks Edge: Bulldogs Fresno State’s Ryan Colburn (6-3, 220) continues to make mistakes at the most inopportune times – granted any interception thrown in a close loss is going to look like a glaring mistake. But Fresno State now has three close losses – at No. 25 Wisconsin, to No. 6 Boise State and at No. 8 Cincinnati. Against Cincinnati two weeks ago, the Bulldogs were at the 5-yard line about to take a fourth-quarter lead when Colburn threw a pass seemingly directed to a Cincinnati linebacker instead of the wide-open fullback. He was also picked off in the end zone in double overtime at Wisconsin, and started the Boise State game by throwing a pick-six. But it hasn’t been all bad for the junior in his first year as starter. Colburn has proved to be a much more potent passing threat than Tom Brandstater was the previous three years, especially with consistency on the deep ball. On the year, he’s completed 56.4% for 790 yards, 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. The yards are a positive, considering he played about half of the opening blowout over UC Davis and the Bulldogs ran the ball most of the day at Cincinnati. But the touchdown-interception ratio is not going to cut it – after four games there were just four quarterbacks in the nation with more picks than Colburn – and the completion percentage needs to bump above 60%. Coach Pat Hill is sticking with Colburn as the leader of the nation’s seventh most prolific offense in yards per game. Expect to see redshirt freshman Ebahn Feathers (6-0, 210) in at least one series on Saturday to keep Hawaii off balance, but true freshman Derek Carr (6-3, 190) won’t play unless it’s a blowout or Hill’s ready to make a switch from Colburn.
The quarterback competition would have been more interesting before Hawaii’s 27-6 loss this past Wednesday at Louisiana Tech, when starter Greg Alexander’s impressive senior season came to an end. Alexander was flushed out of the pocket scrambling, and upon getting lit up by a La Tech defender, hurt his knee. Going in to that game, Alexander led the nation in passing efficiency. His replacement will be former Fresno City College quarterback sophomore Bryant Moniz (6-0, 190). Moniz offers more speed at the position, though Alexander led the Warriors with 103 yards rushing on the year. Against La Tech, Moniz came on in relief, completing 5 of 11 passes for 109yards. Though sophomore Shane Austin (6-0, 200) is listed as the backup, senior Inoke Funaki (5-11, 205), who was converted to running back before the season, starter under center in a 32-29 overtime win at Fresno State last season. In that game, Funaki passed for 170 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 14 times for 79 yards. Fresno State would be wise to prepare in case Hawaii coach Greg McMackin gets any ideas.
Running Backs Edge: Bulldogs Fresno State presents an onslaught of backfield talent led by junior Ryan Mathews (5-11, 220), who ranks third in the nation with 592 yards rushing (with one less game played than the nation’s leader after last week’s bye). Mathews averages 6.8 yards per carry (No. 2 in the nation) and has a team-high five touchdowns. Being that Bulldogs seniors Lonyae Miller (5-11, 220) and Anthony Harding (6-0, 220) harassed Hawaii last season for 161 and 157 yards respectively, the Warriors better also have those two on their radar. But Mathews has never before played against Hawaii, being sidelined with injuries the last two times the two rivals met. Miller had two touchdowns in last year’s match-up, including an 80-yarder. On the season, Miller has 137 yards, 24 yards less than he rushed for in one game against Hawaii last season, and Harding has just 12 yards. The two backs have seen decreased roles with Mathews’ health. If containing those three isn’t enough of a head-banger for the Warriors, they’ll also be introduced to true freshman Robbie Rouse (5-7, 185), who is second on the team with 224 yards on 8 yards per carry. Rouse brings elusiveness that rivals former Bulldog Clifton Smith, but with more speed.
Containing Hawaii’s rushing attack (if it can be called an attack) is the least of Fresno State’s worries. The Warriors had just one player with more than 100 yards, and it was Alexander, their quarterback who is out for the season with injury. Their leading running back is junior Alex Green (6-2, 220), who has 20 carries for 93 yards (4.7 per carry) and two touchdowns. Senior starter Leon Wright-Jackson (6-1, 215) has 12 carries for 46 yards (3.8 average) and one score. Hawaii will likely take advantage of Fresno State’s defense keying on the pass for a few substantial runs, but it shouldn’t make a big difference.
Receivers Edge: Even The Bulldogs are coming off their least impressive aerial performance of the season, but still managed to produce the emergence of highly-touted sophomore Jamel Hamler (6-2, 205). Hamler led the team with 57 yards on four catches, including a 22-yard touchdown where he located the hole in Cincinnati’s coverage and sat in it. Senior H-back/tight end Isaac Kinter also had four catches and added 27 yards in his first significant offensive output of the year. But the Bulldogs would prefer to let the tight ends block and go to the big-play receivers more often this season. Senior speedster Marlon Moore (6-1, 190) has essentially disappeared from the stat sheet the past two games (though he left the Boise State game early with injury). Senior Seyi Ajirotutu (6-4, 210) leads the team with 13 catches for 183 yards and two scores, while junior burner Devon Wylie (5-9, 170) has a team-high 188 yards on 11 grabs for two scores. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise has been the big-play emergence of senior Chastin West (6-1, 215), who has seven catches for 120 yards. West has shown the ability to battle for tough, acrobatic catches in traffic – a recent addition to his repertoire which was previously defined as a possession receiver.
Hawaii put up its typically obscene passing numbers with Alexander at the helm in the run-and-shoot, but it remains to be seen whether that will change with Moniz. Junior Greg Salas (6-2, 200) emerged a year later than predicted to lead the Warriors (and the country) with 601 yards and four touchdowns on 26 catches (a whopping 23.1 yards per catch), and junior Rodney Bradley (6-0, 190) has 423 yards and four scores on 22 receptions (19.2 average), including a 73-yarder. The possession guy is definitely junior Kealoha Pilares (5-11, 200), a converted running back who’s racked up 35 catches for 317 yards and a touchdown. Pilares hurt the Bulldogs last season with 7.2 yards per carry, but got just eight rushing attempts. Hawaii has completed passes to just seven players this season, and just six receivers. While Fresno State’s wideouts are deeper and more talented, Hawaii’s offense runs through its receivers allowing for more gaudy numbers.
Offensive Line Edge: Bulldogs Mathews redirects much of the credit for his rushing success to the guys in the trenches, which have played beyond expectations early on for Fresno State. Junior center Joey Bernardi (6-2, 280), the tiny one of the group, played through the second half at Cincinnati with an injury but used the bye week to recover and is expected to play Saturday. He’s off to an All-WAC-caliber start, as is junior right guard Andrew Jackson (6-5, 295), who might be the WAC’s best NFL prospect not named Mathews. The Bulldogs have allowed just four sacks on the year.
Hawaii, on the other hand, allowed seven sacks – in its last game at La Tech. The Warriors have given up 14 on the season. With a quarterback entering his first major college start, it’ll be disastrous if his line doesn’t offer better protection than it did last week. The Warriors will have to defend against the WAC’s speediest defensive end, though overall the Bulldogs’ pass rush has been lackluster.
Defensive Line Edge: Bulldogs If Fresno State gets anywhere near the type of pass rush La Tech did against Hawaii, these Bulldogs will win big. But that’s a substantial “if,” considering junior end Chris Carter (6-2, 230) is the only member of the unit with a sack this season – he has a WAC-high three (four tackles for losses). The interior linemen have provided very little pressure on the opposing quarterback. Junior Chris Lewis (6-3, 260) and sophomore Logan Harrell (6-2, 275) have shown flashes, but aren’t doing anything consistently. Redshirt sophomore end Kenny Borg (6-3, 245) offers speed opposite Carter, but has had little impact so far with just six tackles and 0.5 tackles for losses. The Bulldogs will need to produce havoc with their front four, or risk the rest of the defense being nickel-and-dimed in the intermediate passing game.
Only two Hawaii defenders had started a game before this season – one of them being sophomore tackle Vaughn Meatoga (6-2, 290). But the most dangerous of the group might be senior Tuika Tufaga (6-2, 285), who is second on the team with 3.5 tackles for losses and a sack. He recoverd one of three fumbles in last year’s win at Fresno State. The unit has combined for three sacks on the year, and will not only face the best offensive line it has seen this season – but also the best group of running backs and receivers.
Linebackers Edge: Even It’s still a head-scratcher that Fresno State used three-linebacker sets so often against Cincinnati’s spread attack. And now the Bulldogs face a similar passing challenge from Hawaii. Junior linebacker Ben Jacobs (6-3, 225) leads the team with 31tackles (two for losses) but hasn’t yet shown that he can dominate from his position. The casual fan doesn’t yet turn on the TV and say, “Wow, that No. 54 is a force.” And that’s what the Bulldogs need from Jacobs. Junior strong side Nico Herron (6-3, 240) came close to getting his second pick of the season at Cincinnati, but couldn’t jump the passing lane quick enough. With his size, Fresno State should be getting more bone-crunching hits, but something is lacking. Sophomore Kyle Knox (6-1, 215) is the most athletic and explosive of the starting trio, but isn’t consistently wreaking havoc – something the Bulldogs should expect from starters.
The stud of Hawaii’s defense is first-year starting sophomore Corey Paredes (5-11, 230), whose fourth on the team with 28 tackles but has a Warrior-best three sacks (four tackles for losses) and three forced fumbles. Senior Blaze Soares (6-1, 245) leads Hawaii with 37 tackles, and senior R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane (5-11, 225) is the only linebacker with starting experience before this season. Kiesel-Kauhane also had a fumble recovery against Fresno State last year. The group is capable of flying to the football, but will have to make sure tackles to have any hoping of slowing Mathews’ rushing attack.
Defensive Backs Edge: Warriors Fresno State’s secondary success could hinge on whether junior free safety Lorne Bell (5-10, 200) returns from an injury sustained at Wisconsin, as expected. Bell missed the past two games and had a bye week to recover, after being slowed much of the past two years with a different injury. But he came out this season as the defense’s heart and soul and most fearsome hitter. In Bell’s absence, senior Marvin Haynes (6-1, 205) was disappointing and sophomore Zak Hill (6-2, 200) looked ill-suited for the responsibility, missing a tackle on Cincinnati’s tight end that resulted in a touchdown, and being caught out of position twice on big plays by Boise State. It might also be time to start grooming the youth at corner, including sophomore Isaiah Green (5-10, 180), who has seen mostly special teams action so far. With no interceptions recorded by the entire secondary yet this season, it’s tough not to wonder if it’s a personnel issue. It’s either that or a scheming problem with the coaches. Either way, it needs to be fixed – soon.
Facing a Fresno State quarterback who’s been prone to throwing inopportune interceptions, Hawaii boasts junior free safety Mana Silva (6-1, 220) who ranks sixth in the nation with three interceptions. Junior strong safety Spencer Smith (5-11, 205), who Hawaii lists at the SAM position, is second on the team with 32 tackles, and has a team-high five pass breakups. Hawaii’s corners will face a stiff challenge from Fresno State’s bigger receivers – the tallest Warrior corner is junior reserve Lametrius Davis (6-0, 190). Junior starters Tank Hopkins (5-9, 165) and Jeramy Bryant (5-10, 180) will be well undersized if matched against Ajirotutu (6-4), Hamler (6-2) and Moore (6-1).
Special Teams Edge: Bulldogs The kicking game and coverage units were much improved at Cincinnati, with redshirt freshman kickoff specialist Andrew Shapiro (6-1, 180) accounting for two touchbacks, something sophomore Kevin Goessling (6-0, 190) hasn’t done consistently in his career. In last season’s loss to Hawaii, Goessling missed a game-winning field goal attempt at the end of regulation and missed another in overtime. He’ll need to get rid of the demons on Saturday. Kick returner A.J. Jefferson (6-0, 190), the NCAA’s active leader, finally came close to breaking one at Cincinnati but was stopped by the kicker after a 34-yard return. He’s averaging a disappointing 23.7 yards per return.
Sophomore receiver Royce Pollard (6-0, 175) averages 25.4 yards per kick return for Hawaii, who had to find a replacement at kicker for standout Dan Kelly. Junior Scott Enos (5-9, 180) is off to a good start, connecting on 6 of 7 attempts with a long of 47 yards. There are questions at punter though, with freshman Alex Dunnachie (6-3, 235) averaging just 34.8 yards, about 12 yards less than Fresno State senior Robert Malone (6-2, 225)
Coaching Edge: Bulldogs Though Fresno State coach Pat Hill has won just once (in 2005) on the island in six tries at the helm, he’s much more proven than Hawaii’s second-year coach Greg McMackin, who led a subpar Warriors squad to a Hawaii Bowl appearance last season (losing to Notre Dame). Hill’s highly ranked 2001 team lost at Hawaii on a last-second touchdown catch by Ashley Lelie (who wasn’t called for an obvious pass interference in the end zone).
Intangibles Edge: Warriors The Hawaiian islands are an eye-opener of scenery for anyone who’s never been before, and it’s easy to get distracted – part of the reason the Warriors are always tough to beat at Aloha Stadium. Hawaii fans are rabid and sometimes as maniacal as the players doing their pre-game dance routine (no dance comments please McMackin). But Fresno State has an obvious talent edge and should win as long as Mathews and company aren’t tripped up by the trash constantly blowing across the Aloha Stadium field. There’s always extra intensity when these two rivals meet up, but might be a little extra distaste from Hawaii fans who remember Fresno State’s Marcus Riley delivering a slobber-knocking hit to their beloved Colt Brennan two years ago (we’ll post video for old time’s sake).
* Be the Hammer is the latest in a line of Fresno State football related features that gives us the opportunity to further discuss the 'Dogs in more facets. This time, it's in regards to special teams.
Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of multiple camera angles and video editing equipment like the Fresno State coaching staff does, so we'll make our selection the old-fashioned way -- memory and dvr.
Our top 3 selections in the running to carry the hammer (in no particular order):
Kevin Goessling (K) - Made good on field goals of 36 and 49 yards
Andrew Shapiro (K) - Kicked off 5 times, resulting in 2 touchbacks. Helped keep one of the nation's most dangerous kick return men in check.
A.J. Jefferson (KR/CB) - 3 kick returns for 77 yards (good for about 26 per). His long kick return of 34 yards was the closest he's come this year to breaking one.
Yes, we see it too. Sadly, there are two kickers in the running for the hammer, and frankly, it's disappointing. After years of special teams dominance in all phases, it has become easy to take these things for granted. Hopefully, the coaches see something we didn't have the eyes for, because honestly, a kicker potentially carrying the hammer is embarrassing.
On a small tangent, but related nonetheless, I don't think you'll find many dissenting opinions to the claim that Fresno State has played in some tough, physical games this year. But in my opinion, they haven't been physical enough. I can't help but compare current teams to teams of the past, and using that as the standard, I don't think opposing teams are using nearly enough ice the day after the game.
Special teams is one of those areas in which this has been glaring. Especially when Kendall Edwards sets the standard (yes, it was a penalty, but baaaaarely). Aside from Lorne Bell and occasionally Kyle Knox, not many 'Dogs are coming close to making opponents clap their knees in fear.
But I digress, although this is absolutely a topic that needs further discussion, just at a later date. Devon Wylie -- who is easily the best Bulldogs special teamer overall -- and Isaiah Green were also considered as nominees. Wylie showed his 4.25 speed in outrunning a line drive punt and stopping it inside the 5, while Green saved a ton of yardage on an early kick return by tackling Cincinnati's Mardy Gilyard after busting through a double team. In the end, Wylie just didn't have enough opportunities to make an impact, while Green flopped big time on blocking for punt return men.
Although we tried to avoid it, we were left with no choice but to announce the winner of this week's Be the Hammer award as ...
... Andrew Shapiro (As much as we like him, we're crossing our fingers for a different choice by the coaches)
What's with this Gregg Doyel guy trying to come down with his hard-as-nails approach at Cincinnati and boise state?
While he certainly has a point that boise state has traditionally made its living by feasting on weak non-conference opponents, and because of that does not deserve a shot at the national title if it finishes the season undefeated, that's no reason to support the "haves" trying to keep the "have-nots" from joining the fray.
Why keep criticizing teams for their conference schedule? That's what is a waste of time. If schools like Fresno State and boise state had a chance to be in the Pac-10, they would jump at it. Then they'd both have better recruiting, an immensely larger budget (thanks to the BCS contracts), more attractive schedules that would garner more fans and attendance and they'd be able to hold on to great assistant coaches.
Speaking of Fresno State, Doyel lost all credibility by saying Oregon was boise state's best win and Bowling Green was its second-best win. Seriously Doyel, you think Bowling Green is better than Fresno State? Heck, one could argue Fresno State would beat Oregon this year, or Oregon State and Florida State (the other team you compared the Bulldogs to). The line on Fresno State vs. Bowling Green would be double digits -- if it were on the road.
National media is a big part of the reason why there's such a steep hill for schools from non-BCS conferences to climb in the first place. There are preseason magazines devoting pages upon pages of hype to even the nobodies from BCS conferences (think Washington State, Iowa State, Mississippi State, Syracuse, Baylor and half the Big East) while most teams from the WAC and Mountain West get a paragraph or three.
You turn on the TV and see constant coverage of usc, Florida, Texas -- same ol', same ol' -- and only see Fresno State news and highlights if the Bulldogs are still running undefeated. Think you'll hear another mention of Houston this year after its first loss? Nope, but you can bet you'll hear plenty more on Oklahoma State and Texas Tech (two teams Houston defeated this year, and two who cowardly backed out of a return game at Fresno State within the past decade).
It's time for the media to step up, and stop helping the injustices of college football continue.
***I should be ashamed. I realized far too late the La Tech-Hawaii game was being played on Wednesday night. Then I had no clue Utah State-BYU was tonight. So I didn't get my predictions for those two games up in time. For the record, I woulda picked Hawaii and BYU. I would have been wrong and right.
Hawaii (2-2, 0-1) @ Louisiana Tech (2-2, 1-0) Louisiana Tech 27, Hawaii 6
Utah State (1-3) @ No. 20 BYU (4-1, 1-0) BYU 35, Utah State 17
UNLV (2-2, 0-1) @ Nevada (0-3, 0-1) Saturday, 1 p.m. Last week: Missouri 31, Nevada 21 What was supposed to be an epic season for the Wolf Pack is in danger of falling apart. A loss to the in-state Rebels might buckle the players' spirt. But talent-wise, this game shouldn't be close. Don't prove me wrong again Nevada. Prediction: Nevada
New Mexico State (2-2, 0-1) @ San Diego State (1-3, 0-1) Saturday, 5 p.m. Last week: New Mexico State 20, New Mexico 17 The Aggies might very well be the worst team in the country. Seriously. This isn't a joke. It's actually quite offensive how bad their team is. But the Aztecs are bad too, having already lost by double digits to Idaho. Still, expect the heavily-favored Aztecs to put another notch on the belt (do you get a notch for beaing New Mexico State?). Prediction: San Diego State
UC Davis (1-2, 0-1) @ No. 5 Boise State (4-0, 1-0) Saturday, 5 p.m., ESPN 360 Last week: Boise State 49, Bowling Green 14 Local radio personality Guy Haberman of 1430 ESPN joked this week that the line for this game should be about 56. He might not be far off. UC Davis was stomped 51-0 in its opener at Fresno State, and now faces a more dangerous defense. These two teams run the same system, but the Aggies are about to get a tutorial on executing it at a higher level. Prediction: Boise State
Colorado State (3-1, 0-1) @ Idaho (3-1, 1-0) Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU Last week: Idaho 34, Northern Illinois 31 This is getting ri-gosh-darn-diculous. The Vandals are 3-1? Watch out for bacon bits falling from the sky. If Idaho can beat another Mountain West team (after San Diego State) and pick up another quality win (this and Northern Illinois count as quality wins for Idaho) then we'll know the Vandals are for real. You can guess from my prediction whether I think they are. Prediction: Colorado State
Byes: Fresno State (1-3, 0-1) Last week: No. 14 Cincinnati 28, Fresno State 20
San Jose State (1-3) Last week: San Jose State 19, Cal Poly 9
Yes, Fresno State is 1-3, but the bye week has left us with too much time to think. And that brings about a few what-ifs. Like, what if Fresno State -- with a schedule featuring two top 10 teams in the first four games this year -- was 4-0 right now?
What if Fresno State went undefeated this season, with wins at Wisconsin, vs. No. 5 Boise State, at No. 10 Cincinnati and at Illinois later in the year? That's a darn solid resumé. And if the 'Dogs did pull off the magical undefeated run (which we obviously now know they won't) it would be worthy of an appearance in the national title game.
But, does Boise State, with its schedule, deserve to play for the national championship when its undefeated season is complete? The Broncos won at home vs. an Oregon team that looked terrible, but now pulled off a stunning blowout of Cal. And the Broncos won at Fresno State, a team with a high-powered offense that should be much better than 1-3 at this point.
Today's Yahoo! story seems to think Boise State in the biggest of big BCS bowl games is a possibility. Do you?
